Export citation

Supporting and Exploiting Spatial Memory in User Interfaces

Joey Scarr, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, joey@cosc.canterbury.ac.nz
Andy Cockburn, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, andy@cosc.canterbury.ac.nz
Carl Gutwin, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, gutwin@cs.usask.ca

Abstract

Spatial memory is an important facet of human cognition – it allows users to learn the locations of items over time
and retrieve them with little effort. In human-computer interfaces, a strong knowledge of the spatial location of
controls can enable a user to interact fluidly and efficiently, without needing to visually search for relevant
controls. Computer interfaces should therefore be designed to provide support for developing the user's spatial memory,
and they should allow the user to exploit it for rapid interaction whenever possible. However, existing systems offer
varying support for spatial memory. Many modern interfaces break the user's ability to remember spatial locations, by
moving or re-arranging items; others leave spatial memory underutilised, requiring slow sequences of mechanical actions
to select items rather than exploiting users' strong ability to index items and controls by their on-screen locations.
The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of designing for spatial memory in HCI. To do this, we examine the
literature using an abstract-to-concrete approach. First, we identify important psychological models that underpin our
understanding of spatial memory, and differentiate between navigation and object-location memory (with this review
focusing on the latter). We then summarise empirical results on spatial memory from both the psychology and HCI
domains, identifying a set of observable properties of spatial memory that can be used to inform design. Finally, we
analyse existing interfaces in the HCI literature that support or disrupt spatial memory, including space-multiplexed
displays for command and navigation interfaces, different techniques for dealing with large spatial data sets, and the
effects of spatial distortion. We intend for this paper to be useful to user interface designers, as well as other HCI
researchers interested in spatial memory. Throughout the text, we therefore emphasise important design guidelines
derived from the work reviewed, as well as methodological issues and topics for future research.

Supporting and Exploiting Spatial Memory in User Interfaces

Spatial memory is an important facet of human cognition – it allows users to learn the locations of items over time
and retrieve them with little effort. In human–computer interfaces, a strong knowledge of the spatial location of
controls can enable a user to interact fluidly and efficiently, without needing to visually search for relevant
controls. Computer interfaces should therefore be designed to provide support for developing the user's spatial memory,
and they should allow the user to exploit it for rapid interaction whenever possible. However, existing systems offer
varying support for spatial memory. Many modern interfaces break the user's ability to remember spatial locations, by
moving or re-arranging items; others leave spatial memory underutilised, requiring slow sequences of mechanical actions
to select items rather than exploiting users' strong ability to index items and controls by their on–screen
locations.

Supporting and Exploiting Spatial Memory in User Interfaces highlights the importance of designing
for spatial memory in HCI. It summarizes empirical results on spatial memory from both the psychology and HCI domains,
identifying a set of observable properties of spatial memory that can be used to inform design. It also analyses
existing interfaces in the HCI literature that support or disrupt spatial memory, including space–multiplexed displays
for command and navigation interfaces, different techniques for dealing with large spatial data sets, and the effects
of spatial distortion.

Supporting and Exploiting Spatial Memory in User Interfaces provides strong evidence that spatial
knowledge of controls and data enables rapid interaction and information retrieval, and allows users to focus more of
their cognitive resources on the task at hand, rather than on the interface. It is aimed at user interface designers,
as well as other HCI researchers interested in spatial memory. Useful guidelines for designers are identified
throughout the book, which provide clear advice on how and when to design with spatial memory in mind. Similarly,
the concluding summary of the area, as well as methodological cautions and directions for future research provide an
excellent resource for scientists interested in the importance of spatial memory in user interfaces.